Robert Gesink targets win in general classification, welcomes Santini and Bianchi as new team sponsors.

As the Australian summer begins to heat up, all eyes in the cycling and broader sporting community turn their attention to the Santos Tour Down Under, an institution on the local sporting calendar that will take place January 19-26, 2014, in Adelaide. For the first time Belkin will be part of this wonderful event as naming sponsor of the Belkin Pro Cycling Team.

It has been a memorable start to this partnership, announced in the days leading up to the 2013 Tour de France. With the eyes of the world on this event, the riders of Belkin Pro Cycling didn’t disappoint. And with achievements across Europe and Asia before their arrival into Australia, local cycling fans have a lot to look forward to as the countdown to the Santos Tour Down Under continues.

“It’s particularly exciting to host Team Belkin over the coming months. We’ve watched them from afar as they wear the Belkin name with pride, and we were thrilled to see the team dominate more recently in China’s Tour of Hainan,” says Ian McLean, Managing Director of Belkin Australia and New Zealand, the host organisation for Team Belkin during their time in Australia.

“We are looking forward to Australian fans and our customers watching world renowned rider Robert Gesink, who has stated his objective to win the general classification, as well as welcoming home the Aussie riders in the team.“

In recent weeks the team has been buoyed by other positive news, which will continue to deliver stability and confidence to the riders and allow them to focus on the road ahead, in more ways than one.

Italian clothing manufacturer Santini have joined Belkin Pro Cycling as a global partner, in a move that will see the world renowned company supply the official team clothing both on and off the bike. The Santos Tour Down Under will be the first event of this partnership, a timely occasion given Santini is also involved as an official partner of the event.

“Santini breathes passion, lives for cycling, and is known for its high-end clothing and many years of experience with great cycling teams,” says Belkin Pro Cycling Team general manager Richard Plugge. “The match with Belkin is perfect. Technical innovation is important for both Belkin and Santini. We are very happy to further build our team together with another Italian brand next to bike partner Bianchi.”

Similarly, bike maker Bianchi has signed as the new technical sponsor and an official partner of Belkin Pro Cycling, ensuring riders are equipped with the latest, race proven riding technology, including a new super aerodynamic carbon frame to be unveiled soon.

“We are excited to partner with the Team Belkin and to work closely with its successful world-class riders to improve our product technology”, Bianchi CEO Bob Ippolito said. “We expect Bianchi’s dedicated product development in all typologies to complement Belkin’s well-balanced roster.”

“Belkin Pro Cycling’s commitment to a high performance culture is a reflection of Belkin’s own mindset and commitment to innovation, and this is clearly resonating with the team’s ability to attract key global partners to join this journey. It is going to be an exciting summer Down Under.” Concluded McLean.